Two rockets landed in an open area near a western Negev community. No injuries were reported in the strike. Meanwhile, the "Red Dawn" alert system was activated in the southern town of Sderot around 3 p.m. after a Qassam was launched at the community.

All three rockets were fired from areas not targeted during operation Blue Skies.

Sderot resident Moshe Ben Sheetrit told Ynet he did not see the rocket land but heard the explosion.

"It was very loud. The (Red Dawn) system was activated, but it doesn't really help. Unfortunately, all of us are practiced and know what to do," he said. "I hope it will get quiet, because we're sick and tired of this tension."

IDF officials estimated that boosted military operations in the northern Gaza Strip in recent days may push terror cells to other areas in the Strip, a move that would see more Qassams fired at the western Negev.

2 terrorists killed

The latest Qassam fire follows the first successful IDF strike at terrorists planning to fire rockets in the framework of operation "Blue Skies". Saturday night, the Air Force spotted a rocket launching cell and fired at it, killing two Palestinians and wounding one.

Following the incident, army officials said the successful neutralization of the Qassam cell demonstrates the effectiveness of operation "Blue Skies". However, the officials noted other areas used as Qassam launching sites will also be handled.

"We must remember 'Blue Skies' can be expended to any area in the Strip," one officer said. "If we see assessments that point to such need, we'll act accordingly."

However, the sources admitted some pressure has been exerted, particularly by foreign diplomats, to end the operation.

"For the time being there's no intention to end the operation and we're continuing as usual," one official said.